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Eurobike speed demons: Zipp, BB30, SRAM, THM

The Zipp SLSpeed is an all-new full carbon stem that is even lighter than the SL145.

  • The Zipp VumaChrono chainset is claimed to be the fastest TT crankset there is.
  • The big chainring is held in place by nine screws around the perimeter of the chainset.
  • The VumaChrono has a 30mm bottom bracket spindle for extra stiffness.
  • Zipp's road-going VumaQuad chainset carries on for 2009.
  • The VumaQuad also has a 30mm alloy bottom bracket spindle for stiffness and light weight.
  • Zipp's new 188 hubs use bigger 17mm-diameter aluminium axles rolling on nybrid ceramic bearings.
  • The rear hub has been given a proper alloy dust cap in place of the old carbon one.
  • The drive side spokes have been moved slghtly outwards to strengthen the wheel.
  • With Zipp's ZedTech custom program you can choose the colour of the dust caps as well.
  • Rim technonogy developed on the 1080 rim has been filtered down to the 808 and the 404.
  • The Zipp SLSpeed is an all-new full carbon stem that is even lighter than the SL145.
  • The SLSpeed uses a forged titanium faceplate that, of course, is dimpled.
  • The SLSpeed has a single clamp bolt that has a floating nut to ensure perfect alignment.
  • Like the stems from Oval Concepts Zipp's SLSpeed stem has reverse faceplate bolts.
  • Zipp has also been working on its handlebars. The Contour SL is now available with a short/shallow drop…
  • … as are the new SL bars which also come in ergo and…
  • … the increasingly popular traditional bend.
  • All Zipp handlebars are available in ergo bend.
  • FSA's K-Force Light is now offered in a BB30-compatible version.
  • The larger spindle is stiffer yet the alloy construction makes it lighter, too.
  • BB30 has a massive 30mm bottom bracket spindle adding stiffness to the bike's biggest stress point.
  • Despite keeping the same pedal stance width as before BB30 allows much more heel clearance at the spindle.
  • The centre of the chainring spider has a far lower profile than standard.
  • The BB30 K-Force Light has hollow carbon arms for a high stiffness-to-weight ratio.
  • BB30 is spread right across the FSA range of chainsets…
  • …and also encompasses the off-road line.
  • FSA still makes chainsets with standard external bottom brackets.
  • SRAM's new BB30-compatible Red chainset is lighter than the standard version and offers more heel clearance.
  • The larger spindle is stiffer than the standard version but since it's alloy instead of steel, it's also significantly lighter.
  • Another major weight savings is the far simpler cartridge bearing assembly, even though the bearings themselves are bigger.
  • For 2009, SRAM is launching its own brand of wheels, based on Zipp's Flash-Point range.
  • The new SRAM wheels use the same hubs as Zipp Flash-Point with straight-pull aero spokes by Sapim.
  • The S80 wheels have 80mm-deep rim sections and are available with either black or silver hubs and spokes.
  • SRAM's S60 wheels have 60mm section rims…
  • … and the S40s have 40mm section rims to complete the range.
  • The rear hub has radial lacing on the drive side and two-cross on the non-drive side.
  • The SRAM graphics look striking on the rims, but the lower budget doesn't allow for a dimpled finish.
  • All of SRAM's new wheelsets are compatible with clincher tyres.
  • THM-Carbones showed off its new Fibula brakeset which is claimed to weigh under 100g per pair and include a clever linkage mechanism to magnify power.
  • THM-Carbones also had a prototype Scapula fork that housed a fully integrated brake calliper within the crown.

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The Zipp SLSpeed is an all-new full carbon stem that is even lighter than the SL145.

© Ben Atkins